> > by Ann Rickard
Considered by many to be Australia's premier resort town, Noosa manages to combine chic with nature. Where else in the world could you buy a one-off European designer label, walk out of the stylish store and come face to face with a koala? Noosa, one and a half hour's drive north of Brisbane is a stylish mix of low-rise development and large parcels of green untouched bush. It has a magnificent north-facing beach, a protected National Park, a serene river, world-class restaurants and shops, a vibrant art and cultural scene, a lively festival schedule, and dedicated locals committed to keeping their town perfect for generations to come. Billionaires play happily alongside families in Noosa and celebrity spotting is a cinch. Matthew McConaughey ran bare-chested along Noosa's main beach, Sir Richard Branson often enjoys breakfast at the beachfront Bistro C restaurant, and Bono was spotted over coffee at Catos.
Do: Enjoy Noosa's natural beauty as well as its shops, cafes and restaurants. Walk the coastal track to Boiling Pot in the Noosa National Park and enjoy breathtaking ocean and bush views at every turn. Hire a boat and discover the gentle charms of the Noosa River and the untamed beauty of the North Shore. Don't: Just spend all your time in Hastings Street. Venture around to Noosaville and check out the fashion boutiques in the newly opened Da'Vos complex on the corner of Gympie Terrace and Thomas Street (where once lived the much loved Davo's Bait and Tackle shop ... hence the cheeky take on the Davo's name). Enjoy a gelato from Amo Gelato in the complex, the newest gelateria in town that has all the locals raving. Accommodation & Travel options Sunshine Coast